Structure-property relationships in 3D-printed poly(l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) degradable polymer

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Medical Device Engineering

Background:

• 3D printing enables complex porous structures for medical implants, improving tissue integration.
• Poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) is a tunable, degradable polymer suitable for biomedical applications.
• Understanding material properties is crucial for optimizing implant performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of annealing on 3D-printed PLCL scaffolds.
• To characterize the degradation profile of annealed and unannealed PLCL scaffolds.
• To establish structure-property relationships in 3D-printed PLCL.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of 3D-printed PLCL scaffolds.
• Annealing treatment of selected scaffolds.
• Characterization of molecular weight, mass loss, microstructure, and mechanical properties before and after degradation.
• Degradation studies over time.

Main Results:

• Annealing significantly increased the stiffness of 3D-printed PLCL scaffolds due to enhanced crystallization.
• No significant differences in degradation profiles were observed between annealed and unannealed scaffolds.
• Scaffolds maintained mechanical integrity for up to 8 weeks before critical molecular weight loss occurred.

Conclusions:

• Crystallization induced by annealing is a key factor in tuning the mechanical properties of 3D-printed PLCL.
• Annealing does not substantially impact the degradation behavior of PLCL scaffolds.
• PLCL scaffolds exhibit stable mechanical properties for 8 weeks, after which degradation leads to loss of integrity.